Simple Method to Fabricate Flexible Microfluidic Interfaces

Wichita State University is seeking companies interested in licensing a patent-pending method to fabricate flexible microfluidic interfaces.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Interfaces play vital roles in the integration of microfluidic systems. Miniaturization of microfluidic systems offers numerous benefits including reduced consumption of reagents, accelerated analysis speed and simplified automation. However, various microfluidic modules desire convenient and robust interfaces for connections. Poly (dimethylsiloxane), or PDMS, is a popular material for prototyping of microfluidic devices. The basic principle is based on the flexibility and in-situ consolidation property of PDMS. This fabrication largely depends on the mold fabrication methods. By using PDMS, WSU researchers developed a simple method to fabricate interfaces for connecting microfluidic modules: capillary to capillary, capillary to needle, multiple-way mixers and flow gates. Our interfaces can be applied to capillary electrophoresis systems, microfluidic systems and other capillary-connection involved systems.

BENEFITS

Easy to connect

Convenient for visual trouble shooting

Reusable

Inexpensive

Easily mass-produced

Saves time and effort

Flow gates reduce volumes of buffer consumption

APPLICATION

Drug discovery, quality control, disease diagnosis, routine checkup

OPPORTUNITY

Available for license/purchase and patent-pending

Potential for ongoing collaboration with inventor, Dr. Maojun Gong, and Wichita State University researchers